Consumer Reports Best Rated Mattress

What's the Best Mattress on the Market Today?

Consumers in the market for a new mattress often look for Consumer Reports best rated mattress to get the best information possible before making a purchase decision. Discover why this may not be your best way to find out what is the best mattress.

Consumer Reports has established an excellent reputation as a consumer advocate when it comes to just about any product on the market. They provide useful information on many products, however they do not provide ratings for mattresses. Why not?

Consumer Reports Best Rated Mattress - The Mattress Test

Consumer Reports enlisted the help of 54 associates to test mattresses in an attempt to assess each one for comfort. Each associate had to lie down on the mattress for 15 minutes - 5 minutes on one side, 5 minutes on the other side, and 5 minutes lying on their backs. The mattresses tested included innerspring mattresses, memory foam mattresses, and air supported mattresses.

The results? No one mattress stood out from another in regards to comfort. Each person reported feeling comfortable on the different types of mattresses!

As a result, there is no such thing as a Consumer Reports best rated mattress. Consumer Reports doesn't offer ratings on mattresses because it's impossible to tell consumers which one is better than another. It's truly a personal preference.

They even conducted a test where they cut open 11 different mattresses to see what the differences were between them. They discovered that many mattresses are constructed similarly, which is yet another reason it's impossible to accurately rate mattresses.

What does this mean for the consumer looking for the best rated mattress on the market? First, you must decide whether you're ready for a new mattress and then you need to understand how mattress shopping works from the standpoint of the salesperson and you as the consumer. Knowledge is power, especially when mattress shopping!

Although there isn't one Consumer Reports best rated mattress, they're still an excellent resource for mattress purchasing information.

Consumer Reports Best Rated Mattress - When To Get a New Bed

Maybe you've just moved and need to buy a new bed, or perhaps you have allergies and your old mattress had dust mites.

What are some other reasons why you may want to consider replacing your mattress?

Do you feel tired, achy, or in pain each morning?

Do you wake up with itchy eyes and allergy symptoms?

Do you sleep more soundly when you are away from home?

Is your mattress more than 8 years old?

Does your mattress sag in the middle or have semi-permanent indentations?

Is your mattress lumpy?

We've heard it said that after five years, a mattress can double it's weight due to the presence of dust mites that grow and breed in the mattress. :( Although we haven't personally tested this theory (after all, it's very cumbersome to weigh a mattress!), but this is a valid concern.

Inner spring and memory foam mattresses tend to be more susceptible to dust mites, so if you want to prolong the life of your mattress, invest in an allergy mattress protector that completely encases your mattress in a dust mite resistant fabric.

Latex and wool mattresses are naturally dust mite resistant so this may be less of an issue if you have these types of natural mattresses.

If your answer to any of the above questions was affirmative, you may want to consider getting a new mattress. It's important though that you go shopping educated with some helpful information first!

Consumer Reports Best Rated Mattress - What Should You Consider Before Buying?

Ultimately, you must keep in mind that your comfort is the most important thing. Each person is shaped differently, experiences different health issues, and varies in weight, so no matter what anyone else thinks or feels, you need to pay attention to your own body.

Look at your health and lifestyle, and decide which things are most important to you in a mattress. Make a list and keep it with you to remind you of what you are looking for.

Unfortunately, buying a mattress can be very stressful, because it is usually expensive and not easy to replace ... and if you're very unhappy with it, your whole life is affected by getting a less sound sleep!

For this reason, don't rush into your decision, and always test a mattress in the store before making any decisions. Never purchase a mattress online sight unseen!

Consumer Reports Best Rated Mattress - Helpful Mattress Buying Tips

Never pay full price for a mattress. The markup on mattresses is anywhere from 30% to 50%! Sales on mattresses are ongoing throughout the year, so don't allow a salesperson to convince you that you must buy today or else miss out on a great deal.

Mattress store salespeople often work on commission, so they will steer you toward the highest price mattress eventually because they make more money. He or she may not be truly interested in your comfort, but rather the price tag. Everyone has to make a living, but as a consumer, it's good to know this aspect of mattress shopping!

Don't allow yourself to be swayed with terms like ultra-plush, super-plush, etc. There are no set standards for these terms, and you can usually save a lot of money by purchasing a mattress that doesn't have fancy comfort tops. If you need more padding, you can get a mattress topper or an egg crate mattress pad for a lot less!

Ask to see a specification sheet on the mattress in which you're interested. Don't settle for vague answers about the construction of the mattress. Any reputable mattress store has access to the specs.

Wear loose and comfortable clothing when shopping so you can truly decide if the mattress feels comfortable.

Do a mattress rest test right there in the store. Take the time to lie down on the mattress for at least 15 minutes - on each side and on your back. That way you'll get a good idea of how it feels. It's never foolproof, since obviously you won't feel as relaxed in the store as you would at home, but it's a good starting point!

Shop later in the day when you're a little tired, so you get a better feeling for whether the mattress will be supportive for any aches or pains you may have!

Lower-priced mattresses may be just a comfortable as the higher-priced ones, so start low and work your way up to see what feels the best to you. In fact, the difference between a mattress that costs $1,000 and one that costs $2,000 may simply be a few more coils, a few more inches of padding, or perhaps a fancier fabric. None of these things necessarily make one mattress better than the other, but rather drive up the price of the mattress unnecessarily.

Consumer Reports Best Rated Mattress - Before You Sign on the Dotted Line

Haggle! Don't be afraid to talk price with the salesperson. He or she is likely expecting you to haggle anyway, so go ahead and see what they can do for you. Don't make a purchase unless you are happy with the final price.

Always read the return policy very carefully. Some companies will take a return on a mattress for a minimal fee, but others will charge you up to 25% of the purchase price, which could be hundreds of dollars.

Check with your local Better Business Bureau to see how the mattress retailer rates. Ask about complaints lodged against the company. You may quickly realize you need to find another store.

Inspect the actual mattress and box springs you're purchasing before signing on the dotted line.

Check the warranty! A non-prorated warranty is best. However, no warranty is iron clad, so be sure to follow instructions regarding frame and foundation, such as flipping the mattress regularly, or else the company may deny you any restitution. Some mattress warranties are voided if they are stained so be sure to take care of your mattress.

Which Consumer Reports Best Rated Mattress is the Best?

Ultimately, the consumer reports best rated mattress is the one on which you feel the most comfortable! Consumer reviews have revealed that innerspring mattresses are an excellent choice for many people, but not everyone. Some review sources indicate that memory foam and latex mattresses have an overall higher rate of comfort and consumer satisfaction.

Brand names of Sealy, Tempur-Pedic, Simmons, and Serta have been rated highly by consumers for comfort and for customer service.

The Original Mattress Factory has been rated very high by consumers for not only well-priced and comfortable mattresses, but excellent for customer service as well. Retail outlets such as Sam's and Costco offer great price points on mattresses, but lack the customer service many consumers desire.

Ultimately, the best rated mattress is determined by each individual consumer, so do your homework before you shop and you're more likely to get just the right mattress for you.